RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU) affirm its commitment to freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas across cultural and national boundaries; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the CSU state its strong opposition to restrictions imposed on educational travel to Cuba by the United States Government, which act as obstacles to freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas between the people of Cuba and the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the CSU encourage Chancellor Reed, the Board of Trustees, campus Presidents, and campus Senates to work toward lifting all restrictions on academic exchanges with Cuba; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this resolution be forwarded to the Office of the President of the United States, California Congressional delegation, CSU Board of Trustees, Chancellor Reed, campus Presidents, and campus Senates.

RATIONALE: Following almost fifty years of political hostility and economic embargo and restrictions on contacts between U.S. and Cuban citizens, our nations suffer from a deep misunderstanding and mistrust of each other’s cultures and intentions. Restrictions on educational travel to Cuba have prevented our universities and academic communities from developing sustainable cultural and educational exchanges with Cuba to improve and broaden political understanding and cultural appreciation among our nations.